CHAPTER 245: I CAN BE YOUR STRONGEST ALLY OR STRONGEST ENEMY [PART 1]

"I have gathered all of you today for an important discussion," Chuck declared as he eyed his club members, who were seated at their round table.

"I’m sure that all of you have been subjected to all sorts of harassment and bullying in the three weeks since the Battle Royale ended. At first, I thought that the harassment would stop after a week or two, but it’s only getting worse."

Chuck then glanced at Alex, who was paying close attention to what he was saying. This made him remember that no one had actually targeted their president all this time!

He could understand why Princess Xenia and Vaan weren’t targeted, but Alex?

The young man represented their club and yet no one dared to target him!

Chuck wondered if no one was harassing Alex because he wasn’t as good looking. Maybe Chuck was bullied so much because he stood out thanks to his handsomeness!

But enough was enough!

If he was going to suffer, wouldn’t it be fair for his roommate to also share some of that suffering?!

Of course, Chuck didn’t voice out his inner thoughts because that was not the reason why he had called for this meeting.

"Like I said, things are only getting worse," Chuck stated. "Renard and Lavinia have already been suspended twice and it’s not a good thing. Likewise, I have to always do my best to make myself scarce because those bastards flock to me like flies to honey."

Chuck paused dramatically before continuing, "Tell me, what can we do in order to stop this madness? I already informed the Student Council and the Professors about this, but all I got was ’We’ll look into the matter’ and nothing has changed!

"Also, it is not only that blasted Lionheart Society that is targeting us. Even nobles from other Crest Clubs seem to have joined the fun! There is even a rumor that the Obsidian Fang has been helping fan the flames because a certain club president said something towards a sister of one of their members!"

"Um, who is that club president and what was said to the sister?" Vaan asked in curiosity.

"Who else," Chuck replied, "but our very own club president?"

"And what did he say to her?" Lavinia asked.

"When Lapiz asked Alex who he was, do you know how he answered?" Chuck’s voice was filled with disdain. "He said, ’I’m your future husband!’ Can you believe it? I certainly couldn’t!"

Several emotions—none of them positive—rippled across Lavinia’s face before she quickly composed herself.

As for Vaan... He only smiled with amusement and yet that smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Renard clicked his tongue and shot Alex a baleful look. Clearly, he was blaming his president for all the bullying he had faced the past three weeks.

"So, I ask you, Mr. President, what should we do to stop them?" Chuck demanded. "I’m sure the others have also been exposed to harassment and bullying. This mustn’t go on because, well, it stresses me out."

Alex glanced at Nessia instead of replying. Her eyes were still fixed on the Codex in her hands, but she had not flipped a page since the beginning of the meeting.

She had been paying attention to Chuck’s words and was now waiting for Alex’s answer.

It wasn’t only her.

Charles, Renard, Lavinia, Princess Xenia, Vaan, and even Lotte, who was currently on guard duty, all wanted to hear what Alex would say next.

"I see, so the time has finally come for our counterattack," Alex replied with a smile. "Truth be told, I am also a little pissed because they tried to kidnap Dim Dim."

""What?!"" Lavinia and Nessia looked at Alex and Dim Dim in surprise.

"Ahem!" Dim Dim stood a little straighter and told everyone its story.

It mentioned how it had thrown stink bombs at the two Fourth Years attempting to kidnap it.

After Dim Dim finished its story, the club members clapped their hands, making the little bun become prouder of its accomplishments.

"I have been waiting for you guys to ask for my help," Alex explained. "I know that you guys aren’t weak and can handle things on your own. But being passive is not the answer.

"We must make these people realize that we are not pushovers. We will make them understand that harassing us is the worst possible choice that they can pick because it will only lead to mutual destruction."

"So, how will we counterattack?" Chuck rubbed his hands. "I want them to cough out blood!"

"I want them to suffer!" Renard seconded. "I want to beat the crap out of them!"

Lavinia nodded in agreement. Nessia did not say anything, but clearly she was not against the sentiment.

"Oh they will suffer alright, but not in a way that you guys think of," Alex went on. "I mean, they must compensate us for our troubles."

"What are you going to do, Alex?" Vaan pressed. His smile was now more genuine. "Come on. Stop the suspense and spill the beans."

The cute boy could smell mischief and this was something that he was very interested in.

"Dim Dim!" Dim Dim raised its hand.

"Okay, what do you propose, Dim Dim?" Alex asked. The little bun seemed to have thought of a plan.

"Dim Dim!"

"Huh?" Chuck blinked. "Let Alex use the Broadcasting Club’s facilities and sing everyone a song?"

"Dim Dim!"

"And threaten the academy that he will continue to sing until the bullying stops completely?"

Dim Dim nodded. "Dim!"

Other than the Dim Sum God, none of the members of Endless Horizon knew how absolutely diabolical Alex’s singing was. Dim Dim believed it was a psychological and biological weapon that would not only be very effective against the students but the staff as well!

Alex cocked his head before lightly patting the head of the little bun, who looked very pleased with its proposal.

"Dim Dim, letting them hear my singing is a reward, you know?" Alex said.

"Dim!" Dim Dim shook its head. "Dim Dim!"

"Um? What do you mean that my singing sounds like an eldritch abomination’s shrieks and can even wake Latifa up? Is this simile so strange because my singing is indescribably good?"

"Dim!"

"Awww. You’re so cute."

Alex lightly squeezed the Dim Sum Bun’s cheeks. The girls—and Vaan—could melt at the sight of the adorable little bun.

Chuck didn’t know if Dim Dim was cracking a joke to ease the tension in the room.

"President, do you have a way to make them stop?" Chuck inquired. "You look very certain that you can put a stop to their harassment."

"Of course I am confident," Alex answered. "After all, everyone has skeletons in their closets, especially the Crest Clubs."

Alex cracked an evil smile. He had played the Story Mode of ELO dozens of times.

He had joined every Crest Club and learnt of the things hidden within the confines of their club rooms.

Now, what would they do if Alex suddenly compiled those things and exposed them to the public?

That would practically be a nuclear attack against the fools who thought that they could bully his club!

But Alex’s strategy wasn’t so simple.

Those in positions of power feared letting others, especially the masses, know their deepest and darkest secrets.

"Give me a week and I’ll put a complete stop to this nonsense," Alex promised. "You guys just lie low for a while."

"Alex, I can tell that you are up to no good." Vaan’s voice was so sweet it was cloying. "Can I join in the fun?"

"Sure," Alex answered.

The young man could tell that Vaan also liked mischief.

Also, he wanted to know more about this tragic heir of a fallen noble family, who should have died in the Mistral Weave Forest.

With the exception of Vaan, Alex was familiar with the abilities of his club members. The only thing he knew about Vaan was that he was very proficient with the spear.

And that’s it. That was all the information he had.

Alex thought that this might be a good opportunity for him to get to know how the teenage boy thought and whether he could be trusted with more important duties in the future.

Lavinia hesitated a bit before telling Alex that she also wished to join him in whatever he planned to do.

Alex readily agreed because having Lavinia around was also a good thing.

The time for his club’s counterattack was about to start, and he would make sure that they were properly compensated for their troubles.

"By the way, Lotte, I also need your help," Alex told Latifa’s Second Alter, who was closest to him.

Most of the time, Lumi was wandering about, so they had only met on a few occasions.

(A/N: From now on, I will refer to Latifa’s other personalities as Alters.)

Although Lotte was confused, she agreed to help. Since Latifa was now a member of Endless Horizon, that meant that Lotte was also one of its club members.